FAQs

Here are a few common questions people have about the dog grooming process…

When should I take my puppy for its first groom?

Earlier than you’d think! Puppies go through a unique development phase from about 8-16 weeks where many habits are hardwired for life. Regular positive grooming experiences during this phase will likely mean your dog will be happily groomed for the rest of its life. Dogs that start with the grooming process after 6 month of age can become anxious and scared of the process.

How often should I get my dog groomed?

To maintain healthy skin and coat condition, regular professional grooming is essential. For most breeds, grooming is required every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how well the coat is maintained at home between professional visits.

Do I need to have my dog groomed over winter?

Yes! If your dog is not regularly groomed over the winter months, it is likely the coat will become long, matted and dirty. Besides looking bad, a matted and dirty coat prevents good airflow to the skin and will hold water for longer as air cannot move as freely, which left unaddressed can lead to skin irritations and/or infections – and a wet coat is a cold coat! A matted coat also restricts blood circulation to the skin, potentially causing serious health issues.Regular winter grooming will leave your dog’s coat long enough to keep it warm but eliminate matting, knots and dirt build up.

What is the difference between knots and matts?

A knot is a small clump of tangled hair and can usually be carefully brushed and combed out. A matt, on the other hand, is a large knot that may have become tightly bound to the dog’s skin. Matting close to the skin cannot be safely brushed out as it is a solid mass of hair. As well as the potential health issues mentioned above, matting can be very painful for your dog, as with every movement your dog makes, the skin must be free to move with it - when matting is present, the skin is unable to move freely, resulting in constant and painful pulling. Matts need to be professionally clipped out at soon as they appear.

Should I bath my dog before going to the groomer?

As far as your groomer is concerned, bathing a dog prior to a visit to the salon can often do more harm than good as bathing a matted coat will tighten the matts even more. If you do bath your dog between salon visits, make sure their coat is completely brushed and combed out before bathing.

Dogs of the North

We're a boutique, but affordable dog groomer in Melbourne's inner north that has a deep respect for the health and welfare of all dogs we groom. We groom one dog at a time and provide generous appointment times. We use only Australian-made organic and tearless products.